SASSA Care Dependency Grant 2024 | Complete Process & Amount

The South African government is taking responsibility for providing financial support to its citizens. They perform this task through an agency, South African Social Financial. This agency gives financial help to different African citizens in the form of grants. Among them, there comes the SASAA care dependency grant.

This grant is also known as the SAASA disability child grant. In this grant, SASSA offers essential help to parents, foster parents, and primary caretakers. These guardians and parents should belong to disabled children under 18. Those children must be suffering from severe physical or mental disabilities and need full-time home care.

If you’ve applied for a care dependency grant from SASSA, you have to know complete information about it. For getting comprehensive knowledge from eligibility criteria to payment dates, explore this guide. Let’s move on.

What is the SASSA Care Dependency Grant?

The care dependency grant of SASSA is a financial Support provided to South African families. SASSA gave a monthly stipend to families having children with chronic disabilities. The main aim of this grant is to give children the essential care which they deserve. Therefore they provide additional money to parents for those children’s special needs.

This grant comes under section 27(1)(c) of the South African Constitution. This section states that it’s the right of everyone to get social security. It also focuses on assistance to those who cannot support their dependents. It means the grant is important legally as well. This grant promotes the well-being and dignity of those families facing health crises. Currently, around 150,000 children getting benefits from this grant.

Read also: SASSA Status Check via Moya App

Who Can Qualify for Child Care Dependency Grant 2024?

When you apply for a SASSA care dependency grant, you have to fulfill eligibility criteria. In this criteria, various conditions come to like your child’s residence, age, medical assessment, income threshold, assets threshold, and many more. Let’s explain them:

General Requirements

Residence

To be eligible for this grant, you should have permanent residency in South Africa. Rather than this, permanent citizenship was also accepted. The children and guardians both should fulfill this condition.

Age of Applicant

You should be a parent of a child below 18. Only parents, legally appointed primary caregivers, and foster parents can apply for this grant.

No State Institute Receiving Care

You can only qualify for a SASSA care dependency grant if your child is not getting any other care. It means the child should not be getting any state-funded care.

Medical Evidence

You have to submit a report on your child’s disability. This report must be from a certified medical professional who confirms the severe condition of your child.

Disability Requirements

When you apply for a dependency care grant, your child’s disability should proven at the following conditions:

The nature of health issues should be like, which require permanent home care.
Children should not be able to do any task by themselves.
Applicant must be dependent functionally

Income Requirements

The primary caregiver and spouse have to meet the income requirements set by SASSA.
The parents or guardians should fall on the mean test.
Only foster parents can exceed this criteria.

Mean Test for SASSA Care Dependency Grant

A mean test of SASSA for care dependency grant payment assesses the eligibility of applicants. This test on certain criteria of income which is called the income threshold. It actually helps the officials to ensure that the grant is approaching those who genuinely need it.

This certain income limit is different for single individuals and married persons who want to apply for their disabled child.

If you are a single parent then your income should be equal to or less than R249,600.
For married persons, both parents’ combined income must not exceed R499,200.
If foster parents want to apply for an SASSA care dependency grant, they don’t need to fulfill the mean test. There are no income limitations for them.

Read this also: Is R370 Grant Increased to R700 in 2024?

Medical Assessments For Care Dependency Grant

Before applying for a care dependency grant, you need to submit a medical evaluation. This should be done within 3 months of the application process. Earlier assessments will not be accepted in SASSA:

Visit a licensed doctor or a specialist.
Diagnose your child from a doctor and ensure they should have a severe mental or physical illness.
Cooperate with a doctor, and tell them about the history of your child’s disease or disability.
The doctor will do a complete examination, and provide you with essential reports.
After taking the necessary reports, carry them with you.
Besides this, get a certificate from the doctor which evaluates that your child is completely dependent.
The doctor has to mention medicine, equipment, or special care for your child.

Documents Required for A Care Dependency Grant

If you want to apply for a care dependency grant as a parent of a disabled child. Ready following original documents or their copies which you have to attach during application submission.

Identity Verification Documents

Child’s Document

Keep the birth certificate of your child, whose application you want to submit. If you don’t have it, you can submit an affidavit that confirms the age and name of the child. This information is necessary to give proof of your relationship with the child.

Applicant ID

You have to provide your ID card. If you are married, then submit the ID card of your spouse too. If lack of ID card, you can submit an affidavit provided by SASSA.

Proof of Your Relationship

If you are married then you need to submit proof with the following documents:

Affidavit or Sworn Certificate

This certificate is legally attested. It is required when you are unmarried, or living a different lifestyle.

Marriage Certificate

You have to submit your marriage certificate.

Divorce Order

If you are a single parent because of divorce, then submit the official divorce decree.

Death Certificate

If your partner has died recently within 5 years, a death certificate is required with the application form.

Child’s Medical Documentation

Proof of Disability

Submit the certificate of your child’s health condition or any reports taken by the doctor. These documents ensure that the child needs special treatment and care because of severe health conditions.

Proof of Your Income

Statement of Income

An affidavit is necessary which ensures the limit of your monthly income. For married persons, this statement includes the income of your spouse too. This is crucial to evaluate the mean test of the SASSA care dependency grant. Through this, you can become one step ahead of grant access.

If you are employed then your pay should be less than the income threshold, and submit your payslip.
If you are receiving UIF then provide a UIF card.
If you are just caring for disabled children then submit an affidavit of unemployment.
If you or your spouse is receiving a pension then submit a pension receipt.

Foster Care Documents

If you are a foster parent then submit the court order which proves you are the foster parent.

Caregiver Documentation

If you are not the parent of a dependable child, but a primary caregiver. Submit the affidavit from the police, biological parent, school letter, or social worker’s report.

Application Process for Care Dependency Grant SASSA

The best way to apply for a SASSA care dependency grant is by visiting an official office. But if you are old, or due to any reason you cannot go there, you have an online option as well. SASSA offers an online application submission for this grant. Let’s explain both ways.

Submit Your Application Online

This grant’s online application submission process is simple. Here are some steps that you have to follow:

Visit the SASSA Website

Visit the official website of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). You can open it by using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Register Your Account

If you are new to this website then you will find an upfront page of registration. Register yourself by creating an account.

Fill out the Application Form

Search the section for the care dependency grant. Soon you will receive an application form. Fill out the application form. Put all required information accurately. Fill in everything about your child’s physical or mental disability. Besides this, fill in your financial state. For each question there would be a separate bar, put your information there.

Upload Scanned Documents

See the section where requirements are written. Then collect all desired documents and scan copies. These would be those which we have mentioned earlier. Probably your ID, spouse ID, child’s medical certificates, child’s birth certificate, and proof of income. Upload all the documents where needed.

Review and Submit

Before pressing the submit button, review all the information. When you become sure that all information is correct then submit your application.

Confirmation

After submission, you will receive a confirmation notification. Save this message or notification for your records.

In-Person Application

If you prefer to visit the SASSA branch to apply for a dependency grant then follow this process:

Find a SASSA Office

Search the nearest SASSA office. You can find it by scrolling through their official website, where the location will be given. There, you can get the closest addresses and contact details of the SASSA office.

Visit the Office

Visit the office within their working hours. Carry all the mentioned documents with you. It is recommended to take original documents, but you can get their primary copies too.

Request an Application Form

At the office, meet the officials and request a care dependency grant application form.

Complete the Form

Put the essential information in the form. But it’s crucial you have to fill this form in the presence of an officer. Where you need help you can ask the SASSA staff.

Submit the Application

Submit the application form with all required documents to the official.

Get Confirmation

After submission, the officer will give you a receipt or confirmation. You can keep this as proof of your application.

Processing Time of SASSA Dependency Care Grant Application

After application submission, the processing time for the child care dependency grant application approval may take up to 3 months. You will get a notification of eligibility or ineligibility too.

When your application is processed and approved then you will receive all payments retroactive to the date you submitted your application.
In any case, if your application is rejected, SASSA will send you an email as well as a letter. This will contain all the reasons for the decision.

SASSA Care Dependency Grant Payment Dates for 2024-2025

To get accurate information about the SASSA care dependency grant payment amount, check the below table. This information is collected from trusted sources.

Months	Payment Dates
January 2024	05/01/2024
February 2024	06/02/2024
March 2024	07/03/2024
April 2024	05/04/2024
May 2024	07/05/2024
June 2024	06/06/2024
July 2024	06/07/2024
August 2024	04/08/2024
September 2024	07/09/2024
October 2024	05/10/2024
November 2024	06/11/2024
December 2024	05/12/2024
January 2025	07/01/2025
February 2025	06/02/2025
March 2025	06/03/2025

Status Check For Care Dependency Grant Payment

After getting a notification of your grant approval, regularly check your status. To get your SASSA care dependency grant payment on time, follow these steps:

Visit the SASSA’s official website: https://sassacheck.net.za/
Take your South African ID numbers as the guardians, foster parents, or primary caregivers of disabled children. You will need to enter them on the portal.
Secondly, put the cell phone number that you gave in the application for the care dependency grant.
Click the option ‘Submit’ or “Proceed” to send your request to SASSA officials.
Your status regarding application or payment will be processed in the backend. The results will be displayed immediately on the screen.

If you are experiencing any issues or want further assistance, you can visit the nearest SASSA office. There the officials will help you regarding any query. For general questions, you can contact SASSA at 0800 601 011 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.

Dependency Care Grant Amount for 2024

The SASSA care dependency grant is a program designed to support many families having disabled children. SASSA announced the payment of this grant usually before its division. The government has announced an increase in this grant’s amount on 1st October 2024. Therefore, R2,190 is provided to the eligible children. This could help the parents to ease their financial burden.

Methods to Get Child Care Dependency Grant Money

When your SASSA care dependency grant is approved, the payments will be processed from the date you submit your application. SASSA gives a monthly payment and schedules the dates on the official website. You can check the upcoming payment dates there. When grant payment is processed, you can receive it in one of three ways:

Bank Account

Directly deposit that payment into your bank account. This account should be mentioned in the application form. Note that the banks may charge some service fees.

Cash Withdraw

Cash withdrawal is also possible. On payday, visit SASSA-partnered retail shops like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers, Usave, and Spar.

State Institutes

You can get the grant from old age homes, disability centers, or specified state organizations.

If you want to receive your payments in the bank account, you have to complete a consent form. Submit the documents with this form. These include your ID card, birth certificate, your account number, and 3 months bank statement of your spouse’s income.

Change Payment Method

But what if I want to change my payment method? No worries, you can change your payment details at any time. Just visit the local SASSA office and complete the necessary form. But remember new payment methods will be applicable after the month of verification.

Balance Check of SASSA Child Care Dependency Grant

When getting an SASSA care dependency grant regularly, you definitely need to check your amount. For this purpose, there is a SASSA balance check service. This allows you to check the remaining money of your grant. You can track your balance too, which can help you to manage your expenditure. Upon approval of your grant application, you can monitor your balance by using the following methods:

You can check your balance by dialing the USSD code 1203210# or 12069277# from your mobile.
You can visit any ATM as well.
Contact at SASSA WhatsApp number: 082 046 8553.
A call center option is also available, call at the toll-free number 0800 601 011.

Report Care Dependency Grant Issues

If you are a parent, foster parent, or primary caregiver, and getting an SASSA care dependency grant but facing any issues. You need to inform SASSA immediately about the issues with their grant. You can do the following options:

Visit any nearest SASSA office and talk to the agent officials.
You can call the SASSA helpline for help.
You can submit your query or complaint online through the online portal.
If grant payments are late, delayed, or missed, you have to check your status continuously.
If you suspect any fraud, then inform SASSA with all relevant clues.

Your immediate report submission at SASSA will help them to investigate and resolve those issues efficiently.

SASSA Care Dependency Grant Review

Even when you become qualified for the SASSA care dependency grant, SASSA will not forget you.
The assessment process continues from their official team. Let’s discuss how they review and then how you can retain your grant:

SASSA monitors the applicants to ensure that they are still falling on eligibility criteria or not.
They do your home visits and verify the child’s condition. This step is necessary when you mention that your child is bedridden.
If there’s an improvement in the child’s condition, the grant may be suspended.
SASSA informs the guardians about the review of the application, at least three months in advance.

You have to cooperate with SASSA officials during reviews. If there is any change in your income or assets, you have to provide the information to SASSA. Through this, you can retain your grant and your

Care Dependency Grant Suspension & Lapsing

Beneficiaries should be aware of the SASSA conditions because a grant can be suspended even after approval. Here are some reasons, to keep them in view:

Reasons for Suspension of Grant

When the health condition of the child changes, such as improvement. This can lead to the suspension of the SASSA care dependency grant.
Changes in the income of a family, like increased earnings, may also result in grant suspension.
Because of any false information or document submission, the grant may be suspended.
Sometimes errors may occur in SASSA’s application review. This can also lead to grant suspension.
When the caretaker of the child does not receive payment for about 90 days.
Sassa communicates to visit your homes for verification. When you change residence but if important updates fail to update SASSA, then the grant may be suspended.

Reasons for Grant Lapsing

The grant lapses automatically when the child becomes 18.
If the death of a disabled child occurs, it could lead to instant grant lapsing.
Failure to claim the grant for three consecutive months causes it to lapse.
If the child leaves South Africa, the grant is also lapsed because it is given to residents only. If the child is admitted to a state institute because of any health issue or any other reason, the grant will be lapsed.

Reconsideration of the SASSA Care Dependency Grant

If your grant application is rejected, suspended, or lapsed but you are sure SASSA’s decision is incorrect. You can request a review of your application by SASSA. And what if this reconsideration is also denied?

Don’t worry, you have the right to appeal to the Ministry of Social Development at the National Department of Social Development.

But remember this appeal is processed within just 90 days of receiving the notification. The Ministry will recheck your appeal and review the information you put in. If they find a grant in your favor, they have the right to change SASSA’s decision. They will allow you to receive your grant payments.

And if your appeal is still denied, you will get a written explanation. This notification will give you the reasons for rejection in detail.

Benefits of the SASSA Care Dependency Grant

The SASSA care dependency grant in South Africa offers many benefits to eligible families. This grant is a crucial resource for many families who are caring for children with serious disabilities. It is giving essential financial support to them to improve their quality of life. Here are some advantages of this grant.

Financial Help

The qualified persons receive approximately R2,090 each month. This is given to support and care for children with specific disabilities and unable to move.

Long-Term Support

This grant provides financial help to families from the birth of a child to 18 years of age. This ensures continuous support to the child throughout the growth years.

Convenient Payment Options

The beneficiaries can access their funds in different ways. These include cash withdrawals, bank deposits, and state organizations.

Flexible Collection

If recipients cannot collect the grant themselves, any family or friends can get it on their behalf. They just need your allowance.

Fraud Consequences Of Care Dependency Grant

Providing false information in an application is considered fraud. If someone tries to commit fraud, there are several consequences of it: These includes:

The applicant will experience legal penalties. These include fines or prison ships for about 12 months.
The recipient is responsible for repaying any money which is received through a grant.
The fraudulent could not apply again for any grant for up to 10 years.
That person would be included in criminal records, which could harm future jobs etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

SASSA care dependency grant is a grant of SASSA that gives financial support to those parents, foster parents, and primary caregivers whose children are disabled.

For accurate information about care dependency grant payment, you have to visit the official website of SASSA. This grant amount for 2024 after October is R2190.

You can check your grant status by visiting the official website of SASSA. Login to your account with your ID number and reference number and check the grant status.

The people whose children are completely disabled, cannot perform any function and need proper home care. Those are qualified for the SASSA dependency care grant.

No, there is no SASSA care dependency grant for adults. Only children can get these grant benefits.